Dolphins Pin Playoff Hopes on Defense

Linebacker Zach Thomas spent three hours Christmas night at the Miami Dolphins' complex studying game videotape, even though players had the day off.

"That's just the way I am," he said with a sheepish grin. "One little tip can win the game for us."

Such dedication is one reason Thomas and four defensive teammates are going to the Pro Bowl. Still undetermined is whether they're going to the playoffs, too.

The Dolphins' much-acclaimed defense has turned soft at times this season, contributing to a 9-6 record that has left them in danger of sitting out the postseason for the first time since 1996. A win Sunday at New England would clinch a playoff berth, and a strong defensive stand would surely help Miami's chances.

"We've been getting a lot of publicity this year," said defensive end Jason Taylor, who leads the NFL with 18.5 sacks. "Now we need to go out there and back it up."

Taylor was selected last week for the Pro Bowl, as were Thomas, cornerback Patrick Surtain, safety Brock Marion and tackle Tim Bowens. But a series of letdowns, all on the road, suggest the AFC's top-ranked defense is overrated.

The Dolphins gave up 450 yards and five touchdown passes in a 48-30 loss at Kansas City. They gave up 431 yards and three touchdown passes in a 38-21 loss at Buffalo. And they gave up 17 points in three second-half possessions of last week's 20-17 loss at Minnesota.

"We haven't played great at times," Thomas said. "We've always been a no-name defense. We got some recognition this year for a bunch of guys, so there's no need for that anymore, but we've got to prove we're a good defense."

On Sunday the weather will be cold, the crowd hostile and the stakes high, with the AFC East title going to the winner. The Dolphins traditionally stumble in such situations.

They're the only NFL team to make the playoffs each of the past five years, and defense has been the foundation for that success. But defense has also contributed to a series of late-season collapses.

"We've got to play great defense this week on the road to have a chance to win this game," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "It's a team game. We know that. But to win a championship _ whether it's a division championship, a conference championship or a Super Bowl championship _ you have to play great defense."

The Dolphins have allowed just 288 yards a game, best in the conference. They rank fifth in the NFL against the run and eighth against the pass.

Their defense has been remarkably healthy. Aside from an injury that sidelined Surtain for two games, the lineup has been the same all season. And it has benefited from the addition of Ricky Williams, who leads the league in rushing and transformed the Dolphins into a ball-control team, the kind that should fare well on the road, even in winter weather.

But the Dolphins are just 2-5 in away games, compared with 7-1 at home, and the defense is largely to blame. They've allowed 12 points and 212 yards per game at home, as opposed to 25 points and 375 yards on the road.

"I've said this a thousand times: Home, away, rain, snow or a dome, it shouldn't affect the defense," Wannstedt said.

Now comes the biggest road game yet. Playoff aspirations are on the line, and so is the reputation of the Dolphins' defense.